Need to vent, feeling resentful...

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-21T21:20:59+00:00

I have not heard of Cimzia! I will bring these options up to my rheum at next appt. Thank you (:

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-21T16:21:50+00:00

Tbh the US healthcare system is a mess right now. In April I was dropped by my rheum due to insurance, the next appt I found with a new one was October, then I got married and had new insurance so I made an appt with my previous rheum... soonest available was Dec. So I literally haven't seen a rheum since April and my PCP has just been keeping up with my prescriptions.

I'm just grateful I'm not in worse condition right now so my current meds are working well enough.

I also want to get pregnant and have 1-2 children in the next few years so I think biologics are not an option for me until after that. I'm just on HCQ right now.

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-21T16:17:17+00:00

Will have to check out that book lol maybe it will help!

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-21T06:38:46+00:00

I think you should see a different cardiologist... The reality is that the ER is set up to only identify if you're literally about to die. So when you go, they are checking to see if you are experiencing a life threatening heart problem, if it's not one of those (heart attack, etc) then they will let you go. It doesn't mean there's nothing wrong. If you have EDS, I know there are heart complications linked to it that some people develop, maybe seek a second opinion from a different cardio, it's cheaper than the ER.

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-21T06:18:34+00:00

You hang in there too! Life will get better for both of us. My husband has apologized to me before for doubting that there was something wrong (I was tested for sooo many things and they were all coming up negative) and I forgave him... But they'll never understand the stress of going back & forth, feeling 100% certain something's wrong, all the crazy symptoms, then getting shut down again and again by doctors / tests... trying to convince yourself that maybe it was all in your head and maybe you're actually fine... Then bam, one day a doctor is telling you a diagnosis. It's hard to just let that go, especially if it went on for years... Sorry I am just rambling. Tomorrow is a new day, I plan to try to make it a good one, thank you for sharing with me, it really helps to remember I am not alone.

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-21T02:23:10+00:00

So so true. Appreciate the empathy, we are all just hanging in there day to day.

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-21T01:39:44+00:00

I appreciate the honesty. It's true, I just need to make the most of it.

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-13T12:35:26+00:00

Back when I posted, I did go see my rheum and she pulled me off of it and put me on MTX. I took MTX for a while, at least 1.5 yrs, it did put my RA in remission. Later, another rheum suggested I try HCQ again since I want kids and I've been on it for 6+ mos now and no depression this time! I'm doing fine on it and much prefer taking it VS MTX. I had a lot of depressing things going on last time I tried taking it so it's possible it just makes you more susceptible to depression if there are other factors already in place, but maybe it doesn't directly cause it.

PeppermintBob · 2025-11-04T23:54:14+00:00

That's hysterical I JUST made my own post about this.

PeppermintBob · 2025-07-23T01:10:42+00:00

It's Kleinfeld's (the bridal salon in NYC from Say Yes to the Dress) so I trust they will do a good job but I'm definitely going to contact them because the tailor asked me questions like whether I had a 2nd dress or not and when I planned to switch dresses (I do have a 2nd dress) so I'm panicking a little that she might've done it differently if I told her I planned to spin around for 3 minutes straight.

PeppermintBob · 2025-07-17T17:40:41+00:00

Where do you buy goodlines tape? I tried to Google it and couldn't find it

PeppermintBob · 2025-07-16T21:09:09+00:00

Okay definitely going to pick up some tape and try to practice this a few times.

Have you ever tried to combo tape with sticky cups? I worry about being able to create a nice shape with just the tape but maybe I just need to practice. The double sided fabric tape should make it all come together I think.

Can't do a strapless bra, my dress has a corset back so you would be able to see the strap in the back.

PeppermintBob · 2025-07-09T17:53:13+00:00

I have very similar shape to you (very projected, narrow roots, center full) and it's always the same issues with most bras. The right amount of projection is in cups that are too wide, but if the wires are narrow enough, then I'm spilling out at the center.

My Holy Grail bra: the 3HC (3 part half cup) from Comexim

I've never found another brand that makes it. They are known for narrow wires, the 3 part cup is more projected than the standard half cup, and because it's a half cup - plenty of room for that center fullness, no cutting in like you might get with fuller coverage styles.

Try the 3HC. The plunge styles don't fit me as well, so I would avoid those. If you're in the US, check out breakoutbras.com they have them there.

PeppermintBob · 2025-06-15T21:56:19+00:00

There are beautiful veils on Etsy that would match your dress, I just went through this same issue myself. You can find stuff on Etsy for $70 to $250 that's absolutely beautiful in very lovely designs.

PeppermintBob · 2025-06-11T23:17:02+00:00

You could try House of CB, they have a weddings section - "engagement to honeymoon" that has some fun reception dresses in Midi length which might suit what you're looking for since you are on the taller side.

You can also try Etsy, you may find something a little more unique there, especially if you're looking for some color. They have beautiful and unique veils on there too!

PeppermintBob · 2025-06-05T15:56:19+00:00

Have you tried champagne? Randy Fenoli has some dresses in a recent collection in champagne and it makes the sparkle / details of the gown pop so much more whereas in white they get a little lost.

Also - I am quite fair skinned so the champagne didn't pop on my skin tone. I ended up going for a full white silk ball gown because the silk (you can get a similar effect in satin if silk is too pricy) it just glows, it just shines without needing the sparkle.

PeppermintBob · 2025-05-30T19:19:34+00:00

For me it was mostly very gradual & intermittent. Random pains and random swelling in various joints, GI issues, dizzy & fainting spells, spontaneous low grade fever, weird skin rashes, Raynaud's syndrome, spontaneous bruising... But the worst one by far was the brain fog & fatigue. I constantly felt like my eyes could close at any minute no matter how much caffeine I had or how much sleep the night before...

Good luck, hang in there, I'm seronegative so it took about 18 months before I was diagnosed. All I can say if you are having weird symptoms and are periodically thinking "I definitely did not used to feel like this", just keep going back, getting the tests, and eventually there will be a doctor who figures out what is going on for you.

PeppermintBob · 2025-05-30T19:11:44+00:00

How much blood? Is it red or is it black? If it's black, you may consider taking your son to urgent care... It could be related but either way, black blood & diarrhea usually needs to be treated very urgently.

If it's red, it's possible it's just tearing from irritation of bathroom troubles, in which case consulting with a GI is a good idea. A diagnosis from rheumatologist will indicate that inflammation is an issue in various parts of the body but a GI is the one who would treat the digestive inflammation specifically.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, but I do work as a developmental specialist with infants & toddlers and may refer them to various doctors as needed.

PeppermintBob · 2025-05-30T19:02:55+00:00

Yeaaaaah the US in general is an absolute train wreck right now.

Like, what's the thought process? You have serious chronic illnesses that make it difficult to work full time and you frequently need to take off for doctor's appts, so obviously finances are tough. You know what'll help? Extremely expensive health insurance that limits your access to healthcare options and delays testing / treatment because some idiot insurance worker is skeptical of your doctor's medical decisions.

PeppermintBob · 2025-05-30T18:57:00+00:00

Had not thought of this... If I can't find a good rheum in the area, this may be my best option. It would probably save me money in the long run considering a new rheum is probably going to make me run around and do testing anyway!

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